Newcomer Welcoming Week 2026

The East Gwillimbury Public Library (EGPL), in collaboration with the Town of East Gwillimbury, is holding the second annual Newcomer Welcoming Week Community Celebration! This free and family-friendly event is open to everyone and will include fun and informative activities such as a gardening workshop, a dance class, face painting, info booths, and more! The event supports welcoming and inclusion by celebrating diversity, sharing culture, and bringing the community together. Join us to learn more about Town and Regional services, engage in cultural activities, and contribute to the Town being a welcoming place for newcomers!

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Location: 160 Jim Mortson Drive, Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP)
  • Parking: There is free parking available at the HALP.
  • Cost: Event activities are free. See below for further details.

Free Event Activities

ActivityTimeLocation within the HALPRegistered or Drop-In
Opening Remarks and Smudging Ceremony - Join us for opening remarks and a smudging ceremony led by an Indigenous Knowledge Carrier. 10 to 10:30 am TBC Drop-In
Welcoming Week Info Fair - Attend the info fair and gain valuable information about East Gwillimbury, York Region, and EGPL services. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. TBC Drop-In
Face Painting and Balloon Twisting - In celebration of Newcomer Welcoming Week, stop by to get your face painted and receive a balloon sculpture! 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. TBC Drop-In
Gardening Workshop - It's harvest time and we can't wait to see what's come up this fall. Join us for some hands-on seed gathering and food harvesting of vegetables, herbs and native plants from the demonstration garden. Presented by a member of South Lake Simcoe Master Gardeners and the East Gwillimbury Gardeners. 10:30 a.m. to Noon Learning Pod and Outdoor Demonstration Garden Register
Lunch - Everyone who registers for a Newcomer Welcoming Week event activity will receive a voucher for a complimentary meal and beverage! Noon to 2 p.m. TBC Voucher provided to all event activity registrants.
Cooking and Story Time Workshop with Author Nadia Hohn - What if Talking about Racism was as Easy as Baking a Cake, Cooking Rice, or Frying Plantain?  This presentation introduces the idea that our stories matter.  This workshop will introduce audiences to authors and stories featured in the book The Antiracist Kitchen.  Their experiences, new vocabulary, and tools to fight racism.  The goal is to create a safe environment for courageous conversations and mutual understanding, while helping attendees to feel empowered with tools to fight racism.  Attendees will prepare banana fritters, puff puff, and fried plantains during the presentation. All chidren under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a caregiver at least 16 years old. 1 to 2 p.m. HALP Health Services Pod (kitchen)  Registration link coming soon.
Indigenous Beading Workshop - Join Indigenous artist Siera Han to learn how to bead your own pouch. Materials will be provided. No prior beading experience is necessary. All are welcome to register. 1 to 3 p.m. Learning Pod Registration link coming soon.
Intro to Bachata Dance Class - Learn some bachata basics in this fun and active dance class!  Bachata is a captivating social dance from the Dominican Republic, blending influences of bolero and merengue. No prior dance experience is necessary. All are welcome to register. 2 to 3 p.m. Public and Social Services Pod Registration link coming soon.

 This event was made possible through the York Region Community Investment Fund.

Learn more about Welcoming Week.